MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is a myelin sheath? A myelin sheath is a sleeve (sheath) that’s wrapped around each nerve cell (neurons). It’s a protective layer of fat (lipids) and protein that coats the main “body” section of a neuron called the axon.

Detailed explanation-2: -The lipid composition of myelin sheath is distinctive, made of high amounts of cholesterol and enriched in glycolipid, in a ratio of 40%:40%:20% (cholesterol, phospholipid, and glycolipid, respectively) compared to most biological membranes (25%:65%:10%) [11].

Detailed explanation-3: -Myelin is an insulating layer, or sheath that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. It is made up of protein and fatty substances. This myelin sheath allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently along the nerve cells. If myelin is damaged, these impulses slow down.

Detailed explanation-4: -The myelin sheath itself is the inner portion of these wrappings (approximately 100 layers of plasma membrane), and the outermost layer that contains the nucleus and cytoplasm is the neurilemma (also called the neurolemma, sheath of Schwann, and Schwann’s sheath).

Detailed explanation-5: -The long slender projection of a neuron, also known as an axon, which conducts impulse away from the cell body remains covered by a fatty sheath known as myelin sheath.